Goldsboro girls best Gates County

After trudging through a sloppy first half, the Cougars began the third quarter on a 14-4 run and never looked back in a 62-49 win over visiting Gates County in the first round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1-A state playoffs.

The Cougars lacked energy and offensive continuity in the first half while committing 10 turnovers. Goldsboro clung to a 22-17 lead at the half.

The Cougars cranked up their defensive pressure in the third quarter, forced turnovers and scored easy baskets in transition. Goldsboro (20-4 overall) needed a little more than three minutes to go on a 14-4 run that stretched the lead to 36-21.

"I told our girls at halftime they needed to come out ready to play," said Cougars' head coach Latina Bullock-Davis. "This is not the time to settle down and play at a mediocre level. Once we started moving offensively and getting into the gaps instead of standing and looking we got some open looks on the inside."

Goldsboro forced 10 turnovers in the third quarter and 22 for the game.

"We pressured the ball," said Bullock-Davis. "I told them if they put their hands up in the passing lanes you'll get steals. That's how we were able to come out with the win tonight."